Quinte Fishing

I am the proud new owner of a bass boat, my first real fishing boat. My sons (8 and 9 years old) are anxious to get the boat in the water and fishing for sunfish and crappie, as I understand are OK to fish anytime. I have friends that are great fisherman, but I am afraid I have a history of being a poor fisherman, never understanding the finer points. I have fished the past two years with a guide in the St. Lawrence near Montreal where we were able to catch 40 to 60 3.5 to 5.5 lb bass each day. This guide was great and really showed me that fishing is a true science to be respected and understood. I have spent much of the winter gaining as much education as I can, in part reading through this site and its links and reading these posts and responses. I have to buy the rght rods and right lures and right line for the right water conditions, for the right time of year, etc., etc. It is all really confusing and expensive.

Now that I have qualified myself and my level of experience, I would like to ask some quick advice on where I should take the boys (and where I am allowed to take the boys) for our 1st outing this year for crappie and sunfish. I have to admit that until I started investigating this winter, I had never heard of a crappie before. Once I am pointed in the right direction, I'd appreciate some advice on what lure(s) are best to use for this type of fish and should we use worms? My kids are convinced that you can't catch fish without worms. I have used Mepps and worms and Mepps and bacon all of my life, growing up fishing on West Lake. My Dad didn't and still doesn't fish. I have taught my son's to fish and we have been successful catching 2 or 3 walleye, a couple of dozen small bass, a few pike and several rock bass. I'll admit that all of the fish were caught by accident / fluke and for every 3 times we went out fishing, 2 of 3 times we would catch nothing. Until the last couple of years, I was under the impression that you cast and reel and if the fish were hungary, they would eat and you would catch them.

I appreciate today, like anything, if you are going to be good at it, you have to study it, practice, give it your best effort and use the right tools.

This group of people that I have read about all winter at this website has been great. I have been busy reading/listening and never really had anything to add, due to my experience. I look forward to continuing my learning through reading your posts and asking the odd question myself. When I say "odd" I mean few, but I expect I could ask a question that may also seem "odd" due to my level of experience.

After a few years, hopefully I will be able to contribute something back.

Thank you for your consideration.

Manson Slik - Ameliasburgh - Prince Edward County

Hi SlikFish,

I live on west lake and if you want to catch lots of perch, sunfish, and rock bass just go to the Wellington Town Dock and your kids will have the time of their life.

P.S. I have no clue how to catch Crappie.

_________________
A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work

first of all
welcome to the site and good one to you on the new boat
from time to time i post results of our good fortune when we come
to fish quinte
fish mainly for walleye
we are not expert at it but we trry our best
if you have questions i am sure you will find answers here
i have found most everyone very helpful
so if i can help just ask
blue
ps nice one to you for taking the "kids" fishing

If your able to catch 50 or 60 bass in a day they you are the one who should be teaching us how to fish! I never heard of putting bacon on a spinner. I think you should have your own TV show "Nothin Shakin But The Bacon". I'm going to try liver & onions maybe even some head cheese.

Hey Slikfish,

Props to you for getting the kids involved, love to see our youngen's getting a chance to experience this great resource. As for your new boat that's great that the wife said ok to your new puchase LOL. Perch, sunfish, rockbass and this time of year crappie tend to move into shallow water to begin spawing. The water is still a little cold yet but it souldn't be long. Try fishing culverts, bridges and shallow bays to hit the crappie. Once you find them you should be alright, but that's all the fun is finding them.
Welcome to the board, I am a new member myself, and I hope that you will recieve the same great info that the members have given me (thanks by the way).
Good luck with the kids, I really think that is great to get them involved and interested when they are young.

Good luck to you,

Spox014

Catching crappie is eazy, finding them is the hard part. Try this out,
4lb test
one balsom float Lightsmall tube jig 18in under your float
cast past the hot spot and retrive your float slowly, keep your eye on the float for that bite.
If that fail's try small minnows under the same light float.
Good fishing.

_________________
CATCH YOUR LIMIT, LIMIT YOUR CATCH

. enjoy the kids. they grow up fast................ get them along any weed bed, and have at it........... best thing abot doing that is the suprize you will see on yer kids face when they hook into a nice pike, bass, or walleye......... kids like to catch fish . so pan fish is the way to go. but you can also give them the chance at something bigger if you put yourself in a lil deeper water yet staying close to the weeds where the smaller fish hide
..... Happy hunting
remember. anyone can catch fish when they are biting

Hi Manson,

I just sent you a PM.

Jeff

Good day Manson, as soon as it warms up try at the mouth of the canal that runs from the Bay of Quinte over to Presquile Bay. Or try in among the docks of the local marinas. Shallow places that will warm up first.
Good luck.